On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Costco debuted its very first independent gas station in Mission Viejo. Yes, that means no warehouse attached, no $1.50 hot dogs, and no complimentary samples.
What it does provide, though, is fuel priced at $4.59 per gallon—about 70 cents cheaper than Orange County’s current average of $5.30, according to AAA.
Notably, the opening coincides with California’s latest gas tax increase, which rose by 2.2 cents per gallon starting July 1.
Costco’s first standalone gas station
The new Costco Gas station can be found at 25732 El Paseo in Mission Viejo, Orange County—roughly an hour from Downtown L.A., just off the 5 freeway. It features 40 pumps and is accessible exclusively to Costco members.
Operating hours run from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays.
California gas tax hike beginning July 1
California implemented several new laws on July 1, ranging from limits on student cellphone use to uniform food expiration labeling. Among the most impactful changes is an increase in the state gas tax, which drivers began paying on Wednesday, raising the gasoline excise tax by 2.2 cents per gallon.
The updated rate is now approximately 63.4 cents per gallon, up from 61.2 cents, maintaining California’s position as having the highest gas tax in the U.S. For drivers, this translates to roughly an extra 33 cents when filling a standard 15-gallon tank. Diesel prices are also affected, increasing from 46.6 cents to 48.2 cents per gallon.
This annual adjustment is part of Senate Bill 1, the 2017 “Road Repair and Accountability Act,” which mandates that fuel taxes be recalibrated each July in line with inflation.
